Cullip delivers encore performance at Classic

ST. IGNACE — Sarah Cullip played in more high school basketball games in her career than any girl in U.P. history.

Fittingly in her last one on her home court, Cullip was named Most Valuable Player as the South girls defeated the North 62-53 in the 28th annual U.P. All-Star Classic.

Cullip scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead a balanced South lineup. Nicole Bouwma of DeTour scored 11 points, while Olivia Smith of Pickford scored 10 points for the South.

Dorene Ingalls of defending state champion St. Ignace coached the South team. Cullip played on two state championship teams for the Saints and four teams that reached the final four.

"I wouldn't want to play on any other floor for any other coach," said Cullip, who will run cross country and track and Grand Valley State. "I was really lucky to be here and wear my home jersey one more time."

Eastern U.P. players were well-represented as the trio of Cullip, Bouwma and Smith on the floor at the same time proved to be a dominant combination, giving the South three skilled players in the 6-foot range. DeTour's Allysa Anderson also provided some steady play at point guard and scored three points.

"I wish I could have played on an AAU team with them," said Smith, who will play college basketball at Kirtland Community College. "We had really good chemistry. It was a lot of fun."

The South ran out to an early lead and never trailed. The South led 36-27 at halftime, although the North did get as close as 36-35 after back-to-back 3-pointers from Kylee Erickson early in the second half.

Among other EUP area players for the North, Sault High's Kylee Fitzpatrick finished with five points, while Newberry's Samantha Beaulieu scored three points. Fitzpatrick is one of three Sault High players also participating in the U.P. All-Star softball game this upcoming Wednesday in Marquette.

Erickson of West Iron County led the North with 16 points. Krysta VanDamme of Mid Peninsula added 10 points.

Kyra Lauzon of Manistique claimed the free throw championship, while Sarah Madalinski of Bark River-Harris took the 3-point shooting crown.

Leah Jarvie of Rudyard was also selected to the game, but could not participate due to a knee injury.

Boys game

North 94, South 81: Northern Michigan University recruit Brett Branstrom of Mid Peninsula scored 21 points to lead the North past the South in the boys game.

Mark Pap of Marquette scored 17 points, while Dillon Gordon of Ewen-Trout Creek had 16, Tanner Uren of Negaunee had 14 and Ray'Shon Anderson of Sault High had nine points.

The North, which had a bigger, stronger lineup, led 42-29 at halftime.

"It's a lot different than a regular high school game, where not every team has a scorer," said Anderson, who will play basketball at Alpena Community College. "Here, everybody can shoot the lights out and was probably a scorer on their own teams. Most of these kids are going to play sports in college, so it was fun to have players like that all around. I don't think any one player stood out way above the rest.

"The experience was really cool and I'm thankful to have a chance to play," Anderson said. "About half of these guys are also playing in the football all-star game this upcoming week. I'll look forward to seeing them again."

Josh Hester of Cedarville, Wade Schetter of Carney-Nadeau and Aidan Wienke of Kingsford scored 12 points each, while Curtis St. Louis of St. Ignace and Caleb Harrington of Kingsford added 11 points apiece for the South. Dan Lothrop of Brimley scored three points.

Branstrom also won the slam dunk competition, while Uren won the 3-point shootout.

The games were sponsored by the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame. Proceeds go toward academic scholarships for peninsula athletes.